Royals too love fun

The morning sun streams through the grand windows of the ballroom, casting a warm glow on the elegantly dressed royals, court ladies, gentlemen, and noblemen who are already engaged in polite conversation. The air is filled with the soft hum of chatter and the occasional laughter, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement.

I enter the ballroom fashionably late, as per my father's insistence, and take a moment to survey the scene. I think I might be in the wrong room as no one is here. I walk back outside and ask one of the guards if this is the classic ballroom, which they confirm it is.

I walk back into the room and look around. It's a plain large hall with paintings on the walls. Moments later, I hear footsteps approaching the door. My eyes fall on Sinbad as the door opens. He strides in with his usual air of confidence despite looking like he had just battled a dragon. His attire, though slightly disheveled, still manages to look impeccably tailored.

"Are we early or late?" says Sinbad, walking into the room and trying to catch his breath.

"Your Majesty," I call out in concern, "did you run here?"

"Not really," he says, facing down and away from me, "Miss Nabile was yelling at me again so I ran from her."

I chuckle a little at his predicament. "Running away doesn't solve the problem."

"I know, but for now it's easier than fighting her," he says. Seconds later, the door opens, and Prince Malo walks in with two other ladies. One is a daughter of a chief, and the other is a court lady in training.

Malo's eyes meet mine briefly before he quickly looks away, his expression a mixture of unease. The two women accompanying him seem oblivious to the tension, their smiles bright and eager as they take in the room.

"Princess Daniella," Malo greeted with a slight bow, his warm and soft gaze meeting mine. "I see you are an early riser."

"Yes," I replied, my tone neutral but betraying a tinge of sadness.

Sinbad glances between us, sensing the underlying tension. "Well, it's a good opportunity to enjoy some quiet before the rest of the guests arrive," he says, trying to lighten the mood.

The chief's daughter, a striking young woman with raven-black hair and a confident demeanour, steps forward. "Princess Daniella, I've heard so much about you. It's an honour to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," I say, offering her a polite smile. "And you are?"

"I'm Nala, daughter of Chief Baku, the Danda clan," she replies with a graceful curtsy. "And this is my friend, Lila, a court lady in training."

"It's lovely to meet both of you," I say. Danda clan is one of the most notorious clans in the AGRI alliance, though few they aren't scared of a fight.

The five of us exchange pleasantries, the earlier tension slowly dissipating. As we talk, more guests begin to arrive, filling the ballroom with vibrant energy and laughter. The room comes to life, and I find myself easing into the social atmosphere, the earlier awkwardness with Malo fading into the background i occasionally still glazes his direction.

Sinbad, ever the social butterfly, effortlessly mingles with the new arrivals, his charm and wit drawing people to him like a magnet. I watch him for a moment, appreciating his ability to navigate these gatherings with such ease.

Malo, on the other hand, seems more reserved, sticking close to Nala and Lila. I catch glimpses of him watching me from across the room, his expression thoughtful and conflicted. I can see the weight of his burdens and understand his struggle.

As the morning progresses, I find myself drawn into conversations with various nobles and dignitaries, each one eager to share their stories and opinions. The warmth of the sun, the lively chatter, and the elegant surroundings create a perfect setting for a day filled with possibilities.

Eventually, Sinbad makes his way back to me, a glass of champagne in hand. "Enjoying yourself, Princess?"

"Surprisingly, yes," I admit, taking the glass he offers. "It's a nice change of pace from the usual."

"Good to hear," he says, as he takes a sip of champagne,'' so you and Prince Malo.''

''I prefer not to talk about it,'' I say as I take a sip of my champagne, the bubbles tickling my nose and bringing a smile to my face.

Moments later, a man in his middle age steps onto the stage and calls out for everyone's attention. "Good morning," he says with a broad smile. The crowd responds in unison, "Good morning."

"We have two games for team bonding today," he announces, his voice carrying over the murmur of conversations. "Hide and seek or a treasure hunt. It's up for a vote, and you have five minutes to decide."

Excited chatter breaks out among the guests as they discuss their preferences. I catch Sinbad's eye, and he grins at me. "What do you think, Princess? Any preference?"

I ponder for a moment, considering the options. "A treasure hunt sounds more engaging and could be fun," I reply.

The gentleman on stage claps his hands to get everyone's attention once more. "Alright, it seems we have a consensus. The treasure hunt it is!" A cheer rises from the crowd, and the excitement in the room intensifies.

"Here are the rules," the man continues. "You will be divided into teams of three or four. Each team will receive a map and the first clue. The objective is to solve the clues, which will lead you to different locations within the palace and its grounds. The team that finds the treasure first wins a special prize. You have one hour. Are you ready?"

A chorus of enthusiastic "Yes!" echoes through the ballroom.

Teams quickly form, and I find myself paired with Sinbad, Nala, and Prince Malo. It's an interesting mix, and I can't help but feel a surge of anticipation for the adventure ahead. Sinbad winks at me as we gather our map and first clue, his infectious enthusiasm making it impossible not to smile

As the teams start forming, I notice Alibaba approaching with a determined look in his eyes. He strides up to us with a confident smile. "Princess Daniella, may I join your team?" he asks, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Before I can respond, Sinbad steps forward, a polite but firm expression on his face. "I'm afraid our team is already full, Your Majesty."

Alibaba chuckles, clearly unfazed. "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement, Sinbad. How about a wager? If you step aside, I'll owe you a favour, anything you want within reason. What do you say?"

Sinbad raises an eyebrow, considering the offer. "Anything within reason, you say?" he muses, a smile slowly spreading across his face. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal."

Nala, sensing the shift, steps forward. "If Sinbad is leaving this team, then I will excuse myself."

''Is there a reason for your shift,'' I ask, she inches closer and whispers in my ear. we break apart and smile at her.

''Well then have fun,'' I say, Nala grabs Sinbad's arm and they walk away to find other people to join their team. 

Alibaba inches over and bends towards me,'' What did she say?'' I look up at him our faces inches away then I give him a big smile.

''Ladies too are allowed to keep secrets, aren't they?'' I say teasingly. I meet his brown eyes for a moment and we both can't help but smile. 

''We need to find a team mate,'' says Prince,''Malo breaking us apart.

 Nala now on Sinbad's team, I look around to search for a fourth member for our group. My eyes land on Princess Lisa, standing alone and silent in the corner. She has always been somewhat of an enigma, quiet and reserved, but there's a kindness in her demeanour that intrigues me.

"Princess Lisa," I call out, walking over to her. "Would you like to join our team for the treasure hunt?"

Lisa looks up, surprised at the invitation. After a moment of hesitation, she nods. "I'd be honoured, Princess Daniella."