Just roll with it

Noise is everywhere, and everyone is rushing. I reach my chamber, and the maidens have prepared about twenty dresses of kitenge fabric, each with a beautiful pattern, laid out on the bed. They've also pulled out all the jewelry I brought with me and placed even more.

"Where did all these come from?" I ask, bewildered.

"Your father prepared all this for you," one of the maidens says as another begins to unwrap the cloth I was wearing.

A warm bath is prepared, but I can't enjoy it as everyone seems rushed except for me. My hair is done beautifully, decorated with delicate adornments. I end up in a long, red bubu kitenge dress with intricate patterns, paired with a matching head wrap and adorned with gold jewelry. The finishing touch is a delightful perfume that makes me feel regal.

I look at myself in the mirror and can hardly recognize the reflection staring back. It may have taken an hour, but the transformation is stunning. The red lipstick adds a bold touch to the look.

"You ladies are magicians," I say, complimenting my handmaidens.

They smile and curtsy. "Thank you, Your Highness. It is our honor."

I take a deep breath, feeling both the weight and the strength of the regal attire. The chaos outside my chambers seems to fade as I ground myself in the present moment. Tonight is an important night, and I am determined to face it with grace and confidence.

As I step out of my chambers, ready to join the festivities, the sounds of the bustling castle reach my ears again. The official welcoming ceremony awaits, and with my new look and the confidence bestowed upon me by the skilled hands of my maidens, I feel prepared to take on whatever the night brings.

That mid-afternoon nap made me less tired tonight and more willing to interact. The party is outdoors, so there's not much place to hide. But there's a lot of food—from roasted meats to a fruit stand, alcohol, sweets, chocolate, and even ice cream.

As I enter the party, I am met by Miss Motan. "There are a lot of bachelors here," she says.

"It's Flora's day, not mine," I reply, walking away and heading to the roasted meat stand. It's a wide stand with twelve people, each seemingly cooking their own kind of meat. I see Alibaba watching one of the cooks preparing what seems to be chicken. I walk up to him with a smile.

"What is that you're eyeing, Your Highness?" I say. He quickly turns his head, his cape dramatically moving with him.

"Princess Daniella," he says, "pleasure to meet you. Actually, it's Your Majesty."

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty," I say, taking a bow.

"It's not necessary," he says, pointing at the meat on the grill. "This is turkey. I've been skeptical to try it."

"It's delicious," I say. "No one can go wrong with turkey, however bad they are at cooking."

"Well," he says, "I will try it if you do too."

"I was planning to start eating in alphabetical order, but I can try this first," I say.

"Wait," he says, "alphabetical order?"

"Yes," I say, "starting with antelope and ending with zebra, so I try everything."

"Your stomach can handle that?" he asks almost in a whisper.

"It can't, but I have some magic potion to help," I whisper back. We both chuckle a little. "I can give you one at the end of the party."

"That would be wonderful," Alibaba says, smiling warmly. "Let's start with the turkey, then."

We each take a piece of the roasted turkey and savor the rich, smoky flavor. It's delicious, just as I promised.

"So, what other delicacies are you looking forward to trying?" Alibaba asks, genuinely curious.

"Well, I'm particularly interested in the roasted venison and the exotic fruit desserts," I say. "I've heard the chefs have outdone themselves."

"Sounds like a feast fit for royalty," he replies with a grin.

As we continue to sample the various dishes, I feel more relaxed and enjoy the lively atmosphere. The party is in full swing, and despite Miss Motan's initial comment about bachelors, I'm focused on enjoying the evening with new friends and delicious food. The thought of the official welcoming ceremony tonight no longer seems daunting. Instead, I feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the festivities ahead.

"Try this one," says Alibaba, stretching out his fork to my mouth. I'm skeptical at first, aware of the many eyes around us.

"Don't tell me, Princess, you're worried about people," he asks, placing his fork back on the plate.

"It's not that, Your Majesty," I say, trying to find the right words. "It's just... I'm not used to being the center of attention in this way and my village people talk."

Alibaba chuckles softly. "You're a princess, Daniella. Being the center of attention is part of the job description."

I smile, relaxing a bit. "I suppose you're right."

"Here," he says, offering the fork again. "Just focus on the food and forget about everyone else for a moment."

I take a bite, savoring the rich flavor. "That's delicious," I admit.

"See? Sometimes it's worth stepping out of your comfort zone," he says with a wink.

We continue sampling the different dishes, laughing and chatting. The initial awkwardness fades away, replaced by genuine enjoyment. Alibaba's easygoing nature makes it easier to forget the prying eyes and just enjoy the moment.

"So, what's next on the alphabetical list?" Alibaba asks, grinning.

I laugh. "I think it's bison. Care to join me?"

"Absolutely," he replies, leading the way to the next stand.

As we approach the bison stand, I notice Sinbad watching us from a distance, a hint of amusement in his eyes. It seems he's pleased to see me enjoying myself.

We sample the bison, and it's just as delicious as the turkey. The evening is turning out much better than I expected, and I feel a sense of camaraderie with Alibaba.

"Thank you for this," I say to him as we make our way to the fruit stand. "To be honest am kinda using you now."

"Use me all you want, Princess," he says with a smile his words catch me off guard and I find myself blushing. " Your presence has saved me from the preying mama's and fathers."

I giggle at his statement, "I didn't know men also feared arranged marriages."

"Most don't because it benefits them more than the lady," he says, "but it wouldn't for me, I have an empire to worry about and I need a strong queen by my side."

"That's ideal," I say, "If I were in your position I would seek for qualities that better my kingdom."

"And what qualities do you seek princess," he asks me, a question that I have never really given thought to.

"I don't know but I will know when I see them," I say

Receiving a plate of avocado he asks, "but what if a particular gentleman finds you interesting, how would he go about that?"

I meet his gaze for a while in silence, "I think the gentleman will have to figure it out on his own," I say almost in a whisper.

As we indulge in the exotic fruits, the party continues to buzz around us, but for now, it feels like it's just us, enjoying the simple pleasure of good food and good company.